The impact Josh Gattis stands to make at the University of Michigan is unknown currently, but the hype is present. High tempo offense, WR development, and creative play-calling are just a few of his potential upgrades, but here’s 3 perks that haven’t been addressed.
Josh Gattis Increasing Draft Picks on Defense?
Let’s think about this: Michigan’s offense last year was a time-squeezing, slow paced machine. The longer they were on the field, the better. How would Gattis impact the defense then?
Michigan’s drives this season will be faster. More plays for the offense, but also more plays for the defense. Hypothetically, we’ll say the Michigan defense increases their snap count by 20 snaps a game. That’s 240 more snaps in the season. 240 more snaps worth of potential sacks, TFLs, and INTs. For a player like LaVert Hill, that’s possibly 2-3 interceptions and a forced fumble. You can make the argument that more points would be scored on the defense, but let me offer a counter. Why do you care how many points are scored.? Michigan finishes 2nd in scoring defense, what is that worth? When the game is 20-10 and you fell asleep throughout the 3rd quarter, it’s irrelevant. Scouts don’t take team points allowed into consideration, but WILL take individual statistics into account. Ever notice how it seems like Ohio State is constantly sending first year starters into the draft? Ohio State never has an elite scoring defense, and has given up loads of points on multiple occasions, but also have players putting up impressive statistics. Jim Harbaugh has tried to keep the defense off the field for half a decade. Now it’s time to let them run free.
240 extra snaps can do wonders for players, and a bump in their numbers will only help.
Running Backs will love Gattis
Old, downhill running. A running backs’ dream, right?
Wait.. why.? Why is it a RB’s dream? Sitting in the trenches, ramming into LBs for an extra yard? I’ll pass.
How about splitting receivers out, spreading open the field, and telling your back, “If you find the gap and beat the MLB 1 on 1, you have 15 yards.” THAT sounds like something I’d be interested in. Running backs love space, and this offense offers less power, and more 1 on 1 opportunities with a LB or Safety. Zeke Elliott invented this type of running back. Speed and power, with a special gift of consistently winning 1 on 1’s with the defense. Christian Turner will surprise a lot of people, and Zach Charbonnet is a perfect mold for this. Charbonnet is bigger than 75% of Linebackers, and has great relative speed for a 6’2 back.
The ease and creativity of the offense should intrigue recruits in these next few years, and there’s enough of the ball for everyone. Expect the running back position to build some hype, with Christian Turner drafted early after his junior season.
Cornerback Development
This goes back to the classic phrase, “Iron sharpens Iron”.
Gattis will develop the receivers exponentially. This has already been diagnosed through spring camp, and his previous experience and pedigree. But expect an indirect development of the secondary as well. Remember, Gattis was a cornerback at Wake Forest, so the position isn’t exactly a mystery to the first year OC. Let’s use some guys as a quick example: LaVert Hill, Ambry Thomas, Dax Hill, and Josh Metellus.
They have the task of lining up against Donovan Peoples-Jones (6’2), Tarik Black (6’3), Nico Collins (6’4), Mike Sainristil (5’11), and Giles Jackson (5’9) in camp. That is a plethora of receiving types, and you’re getting something new every rep. Want to pair up with a large, jump ball receiver? See Nico Collins. A thick body with route-running prowess? DPJ has it. Small, shifty pass catchers with phenomenal speed? The freshies got you there. Every day in practice, these backs are paired with arguably their hardest matchup of the year. These matchups will only improve the secondary, and giving Dax Hill this advantage from his freshman year could prove crucial to his development.
Josh Gattis is putting his footprint in much more places than you’d think. The move to a high tempo offense has much more perks than flaws, and it’ll be interesting to hear from Michigan on Wednesday (first open media day) on how the transition has been.
Michigan Chat 